Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 (2)

The Boston Celtics inbounded from the backcourt, getting the ball to Tony Allen. Tony Allen caught it securely, then quickly dribbled across half court.

The moment he crossed half court, Tony Allen immediately passed the ball to Marc Gasol at the top of the arc.

After receiving the pass, Marc Gasol did not hesitate and sent the ball to Goodwin on the wing.

After catching the ball, Goodwin moved it again, threading a precise pass to Paul Pierce, who had successfully established position in the low post.

If Rondo was the weak link in the New York Knicks' offense, then Ray Allen was the "weak link" on defense.

Although Ray Allen's defensive ability was above average, he stood only 196 centimeters tall and had a relatively lean build. As a result, he found it somewhat difficult when facing guards who were physically strong and powerful.

However, it was worth mentioning that Ray Allen was excellent at defensive positioning and anticipating offensive routes. He was also adept at playing tight defense and applying pressure to disrupt opposing players.

Furthermore, as he had gotten older, Ray Allen, now 37, had inevitably begun to decline physically. Whether in strength or speed, he was clearly no longer what he once was.

More importantly, he was matched up against Paul Pierce—a guard capable of playing small forward—which undoubtedly posed an enormous challenge for him.

Only the Boston Celtics could field such a luxurious perimeter lineup. Leaving Tony Allen aside, both Goodwin and Paul Pierce stood over two meters tall, with Goodwin reaching 206 centimeters. More frighteningly, their mobility was no worse than that of guards. That was why the Boston Celtics had the strongest defense in the entire league, bar none.

But Paul Pierce was already 35, and his physical condition was far worse than